Small daily oil paintings, painted in a plein air impressionistic style on stretched canvas or canvas board created and posted regularly. 2012 update: After 6 years, the postings now include larger paintings along with the small works. My goal is to reach 1,000 paintings posted by the end of this year. 2013 update: The original goal was met and exceeded, from now on I will post paintings that are successful or might be of interest.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Driving down the mountain as the elevation drops pine trees give way to oaks, as you head to Rankin Ranch. This is the vista just as you arrive, once you hit the basin floor. This little painting is all about the early morning light.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Set up on the side of the bridle path I learned that it's not a good idea to paint on the side of a hill nestled in a tangle of tree roots. True the legs of the tripod can adjust to the hill but after a while some muscles started protesting and I found it frustrating not being able to back away from the easel to look at the painting from a distance. The sound of a snake had me looking for something slithering, a real distraction to the painting process. Plein air painting joys.

Monday, September 26, 2011

The strange limbs and trunk structure of the trees in the pasture immediately caught my attention when figuring out a spot to paint on the Rankin Ranch. I found out that the cows create the sculptural trees by using the bark as a scratching post.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Pockets full of gold, men stopped here on a break from the dusty trail to Bakersfield. Rankin Ranch has several generations historically documented with great stories of snake races and kids smoking behind the water tank. Today I unpacked my car and repacked it for an art show this weekend at Moorpark Park, in Studio City. If your in town it should be a gem of a small show, under shady trees. It's on the corner of Laurel Canyon and Moorpark St. My spot number is B14.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Don't mind the bugs and dirt mixed into the paint. I am sure you have heard of "chick" magnets, oil paint is a "bug" magnet. speaking of bugs and dirt, I am headed out to paint at a dude ranch for a few days with about 20 other artists (fun). From what I hear there isn't any Internet available so I'll be off the grid for a bit. Sounds great to me. Consider the "gone painting" shingle hung......

Friday, September 16, 2011

Eaton Canyon is a classic Southern California location for painting. This Sycamore dressed in it's fall glory greets every visitor as you head up to the waterfall.

Oil on Canvas, 18" X 24"

The response to the process images was so positive I thought a bit of brush work might be interesting too, since you can't see the work in the full view of the painting.

This little photo is a close up of part of the mountain.

Here is a bit of the sky.

Finally a bit of the tree. I'll keep working on the painting over the next several days. I have found it's of benefit to set the painting where I can pass it often during the day, spotting details that need adjustment at a glance.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

It's been a while since I posted a painting in process. I thought this painting would be a good example. The last image is the beginning of the piece, where all the major decisions happen. The middle image shows blocked in color shapes. The view is under the 134 freeway, in the Arroyo, with the Colorado Street bridge behind me.

Oil on Canvas, 30" X 24"

Adding large areas of color, following the established pattern of the under painting. I am constantly adjusting and looking in the large mirror behind me to make sure all elements are visible and working.

Beginning the painting I used a wash of burnt sienna to establish patterns and values. I know that the whole painting is about the beautiful light on the sunlit trees, rocks and stream. By painting this wash I can guarantee success telling my story.

Friday, September 09, 2011

In reality the cloud was all by itself, hanging above the mountain on a clear blue sky and that was what attracted me to the view. And as usual I spread it out a bit to make a better painting, playing goddess, at least that is what my family says. That is one of the many thrills of painting landscapes. Artists can move mountains with the stroke of the brush.